Circuit, switching module comprising the same, and use of said switching module

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a circuit array with an antenna input ( 1 ), a signal input ( 2 ) and a signal output ( 3 ), a switch unit ( 4 ), in which the antenna input ( 1 ) is connected to a first protective device ( 6 ) against electrostatic discharges, wherein the first 5  protective device ( 6 ) is a band-pass filter in a π configuration. An advantage of the first protective device ( 6 ) is that when it is used in a mobile telephone, a band-pass filter in the front-end module can be omitted. In addition, the band-pass filter has very favorable filtering characteristics, so that ESD-related interference can be effectively suppressed. The invention also relates to a circuit module and the use of the circuit module.

The invention relates to a circuit array, which has an antenna input, a signal input and a signal output. In addition, the circuit array has a switch unit that optionally connects the antenna input with the signal input or the signal output.

Circuit arrays of the type mentioned above are often used as multi-band front-end modules for mobile telephones. In this application, they are connected to the antenna of a mobile telephone at the antenna input. When the antenna comes into contact with an electrically-charged user, this can result in electrostatic discharge, also known under the name “electrostatic discharge (ESD).” These electrostatic discharges can create voltage peaks that are capable of destroying the circuit array. Thus, it is necessary to equip circuit arrays of the type mentioned initially with a device that protects against ESD.

Printed specification WO 00/57515 discloses circuit arrays of the type mentioned above that are equipped with a protective device against ESD. The protective device comprises an electric high-pass filter in which a capacitor is connected in series and an inductor is connected in parallel to the antenna input path.

A drawback of the known circuit array is that the ESD protective device only helps reduce the ESD impulse entering the circuit array directly through the antenna. In addition to the impulse entering the circuit array directly through the antenna, an electrostatic discharge can also generate a high voltage in the circuit array through ground coupling. This can occur, for example, because the control input normally used in a circuit is arranged either on the high voltage (high) or on a low voltage (low). In this case, the high voltage (high) is defined, for example, by the fact that it lies 2.3 V above the ground voltage of the circuit array. Because, in the case of a mobile telephone, as with many other devices based on signal transmission via antennas, the signal input runs from the antenna to the system's ground, an electrostatic discharge can also directly affect the ground voltage of the circuit array in a circuit array of the type mentioned above. As a result of directly coupling a control line to ground through the “high” condition, the voltage impulse resulting from an electrostatic discharge can not only affect the path, via the antenna, but also the circuit array, via the control line. The known circuit array is not protected against these effects.

In addition, the high-pass filter used in the known circuit array has the characteristic of being a very simply designed filter that allows all frequency components of a signal, beginning with a certain cutoff frequency, to pass through it virtually unimpeded. In general, however, only a very narrow frequency range is relevant to the further processing of the signal received by the antenna in the mobile telephone. For example, frequencies of between 1 and 2 GHz are used in mobile telephones based on the GSM, PCN or PCS standard. All other frequencies received by the antenna tend to be interfering and, therefore, must be filtered out. Accordingly, at least one band-pass filter is needed to make the signal captured by the circuit array mentioned above capable of being processed for a mobile telephone. The high-pass filter arranged in the known circuit array can only cut off frequencies below a certain cutoff frequency. For this reason, at least one filter circuit must be connected downstream from this filter, in order to remove the frequency range relevant to the mobile telephone from the signals received by the antenna.

Accordingly, an advantage of the known circuit array is that the high-pass filter circuit used to protect against ESD has an insertion loss, causing the wanted signals to undergo a certain attenuation, although cutting of the transmitted frequency band does not take place. Accordingly, a disadvantage of the known circuit array is a generally high insertion loss.

The goal of this invention, therefore, is to provide a circuit array of the type mentioned initially, in which the frequency dependency of the protective device at the antenna input is improved.

This goal is achieved through a circuit array according to claim 1. Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention, as well as a circuit module and the use of the circuit module can be seen from the dependent claims.

A circuit array is described which contains a switch unit with an antenna input, a signal input and a signal output. The switch unit is suitable for electrically connecting the antenna input with either the signal input or the signal output. In addition, a control line that controls the switch position in the switch unit can be arranged at the switch unit. Additionally, the antenna input is connected to a first protective device against electrostatic discharges.

The first protective device against electrostatic discharges is executed in the form of a band-pass filter in a π configuration.

The advantage of a band-pass filter is that it has a high insertion loss below a first cutoff frequency and above a second cutoff frequency. As a result, frequencies can be effectively suppressed, especially low frequencies that contain the bulk of electrical output of the impulses generated by electrostatic discharge. By arranging a band-pass filter at the antenna input, at least the need for subsequent filters in the reception paths can be loosened, which results in a generally improved insertion loss.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first protective device has an antenna input and a switch output, which are connected to one another by a line. A series circuit comprising a capacitor and an inductor is connected in series to the line. Between the antenna input and the series circuit, a first parallel circuit of a capacitor and an inductor is connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground. Between the switch output and the series circuit, a second parallel circuit comprising a capacitor and an inductor is connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground.

A band-pass filter in a π configuration is achieved with the circuit array of the protective device described above.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a capacitor can be connected in series between the switch output and the second parallel circuit. As a result, a direct current suppression is achieved that prevents DC voltage applied to the switch unit from being short-circuited against the ground.

In addition, a capacitor can also be connected in series to the line between the antenna input and the first parallel circuit.

To use the circuit array of the invention in a mobile telephone in which frequencies based on the GSM or PCS standard are used, it is advantageous for the band-pass filter to have an attenuation less than 0.5 dB between 1 and 2 GHz. Outside this frequency range, the band-pass filter should have the highest possible attenuation (e.g. >20 dB at f>3.4 GHz).

The circuit array of the invention, together with the band-pass filter, is also advantageous in that, as a result of the two capacitors connected in series to the line, a DC voltage block is achieved that prevents DC voltage applied to the switch unit from being discharged to the ground. This effectively reduces the risk of a short circuit.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control line is also connected to a second protective device against electrostatic discharges. The advantage of this arrangement is that ESD interference penetrating into the circuit can be effectively prevented through ground coupling via the control line.

The protective devices against electrostatic discharges are advantageously connected to a ground connection, into which the excess voltage from the electrostatic discharges can be discharged.

The switch unit can, for example, be a voltage-controlled switch, such as the type normally used in mobile telephone because of its low power consumption. In particular, a gallium-arsenide switch can be used as the switch unit.

The switch unit can also have multiple signal inputs and outputs. Accordingly, multiple control lines are needed.

The circuit array can also be provided with a decoder, which can be used to reduce the number of control lines. A decoder normally requires a power supply, which is connected via a supply line. The ESD protection of such a circuit can be improved even further by connecting the supply line to a third protective device against electrostatic discharges.

The decoder can also be designed so that the voltages of the control lines are generated from the voltage of the supply line. This can be accomplished by means of so-called “pull-up resistors,” for example. Then ESD protection can be simplified by providing only the power supply line with a second protective device. In this case, protection of the control lines is provided through the protection of the power supply.

The circuit array can also contain frequency filters that are assigned to individual signal inputs or signal outputs. They are especially suitable for filtering the frequencies received by the antenna on a mobile telephone in such a way that the signals conducted and filtered through the signal output can be processed further by the mobile telephone. The same applies to the signal inputs of the circuit array, which, in a mobile telephone, are used to transmit the voice signals generated in the mobile telephone to a receiver via the antenna.

The use of a voltage-limiting element, which is connected in parallel to the control line and is also connected to the ground potential, represents another option for a second protective device against electrostatic discharges. A voltage-limiting element can be a varistor, for example. Such a varistor has very low resistance beginning at a certain cutoff voltage, so that excess voltage against ground can be diverted. Varistors with low switching voltage are especially suitable, because this minimizes the residual voltage that occurs in a voltage impulse and loads the circuit array. For this reason, it is advisable to use varistors with a varistor voltage of between 4 and 20 V. Accordingly, the terminal voltage in a voltage impulse that loads the circuit array is about 8 to about 50 V. As a result, the circuit array can be reliably protected against destruction in the event of an ESD impulse.

Another possibility is to use a switch spark gap or a Z-diode as a second protective device against electrostatic discharges.

The invention also encompasses a circuit array in which the antenna input is connected to an antenna, in which the signal output is connected to a receiving amplifier of a mobile telephone, and in which the signal input is connected to a transmission amplifier of a mobile telephone.

In addition, a circuit module is specified which contains a circuit array according to the invention. The circuit module also contains a multilayer ceramic substrate with integrated passive components, which form electric frequency filters. These frequency filters are assigned to the signal inputs and/or outputs. The switch unit, which can, for example, be executed with the aid of PIN diodes or in the form of a gallium-arsenide switch, is arranged on the upper side of the multilayer ceramic substrate. In addition, the first and, if applicable, second protective device against electrostatic discharges is integrated into the circuit module.

An advantage of the circuit module is that, as a result of the integration of the passive components into the ceramic substrate, as well as the integration of the protective device into the circuit module, a high degree of integration is achieved, which advantageously affects the space requirements of the circuit module. The integration of the first and, if applicable, second protective device into the circuit module can occur, for example, by mounting these components onto the surface of the ceramic substrate, adjacent to the switch unit.

In particular, it is also advantageous to use the circuit module as a front-end module in a mobile telephone.

In the following, the invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of example embodiments and the corresponding diagrams.

FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a circuit array according to the invention in a basic circuit diagram.

FIG. 2 shows, as an example, another circuit array according to the invention in a basic circuit diagram.

FIG. 3 shows, in a basic circuit diagram, the use of the circuit array according to the invention in a mobile telephone.

FIG. 4 shows, as an example, the circuit module according to the invention in a schematic longitudinal section.

The same reference symbols refer to the same elements in all diagrams.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit array with a switch unit 4, which is provided with a ground 8. The switch unit 4 has an antenna input 1, which is connected to an antenna 18. The antenna input 1 is connected to a first protective device 6 against electrostatic discharges (indicated by the lighting symbol in FIG. 1). The switch unit 4 contains at least one control line 5, which controls the switching process for connecting the antenna input 1 with the signal inputs 2 or the signal outputs 3 of the switch unit 4. Three control lines 5 are shown in FIG. 1. At least one of these control lines is provided with a second protective device 7 against electrostatic discharges. These second protective device 7 is executed in the form of a varistor, which is connected to the ground 18.

The switch unit 4 depicted in FIG. 1 also has a decoder, for which a supply line 11 is required. The supply line 11 is connected to a supply voltage +Vcc. In addition, the supply line 11 is connected to a third protective device 12 against electrostatic discharges. The third protective device 12 can, for example, be a varistor that is connected to the ground 8.

The first protective device 6 is executed in the form of a band-pass filter in a π configuration. Specifically, it can be executed as follows: the first protective device 6 has an antenna input 111 and a switch output 112. The antenna input 111 and the switch output 112 are connected to one another by a line 113. A series circuit 114 comprising a capacitor C1 and an inductor L1 is connected in series to the line 113. Between the antenna input 111 and the series circuit 114, a parallel circuit 115 comprising a capacitor C2 and an inductor L2 is connected in parallel to the line 113, as well as to the ground 8. Between the switch output 112 and the series circuit 114, a parallel circuit 116 comprising a capacitor C3 and an inductor L3 is also connected in parallel to the line 113, as well as to the ground 8. Another capacitor C4, which acts as a DC current suppressor, is connected between the parallel circuit 116 and the switch output 112. Another capacitor C5 is also connected in series to the line 113 between the antenna input 111 and the parallel circuit 115.

Such a filter can have the following component data:

-   -   L1=from 0.1 to 22 nH     -   L2=from 0.1 to 22 nH     -   L3=from 0.1 to 22 nH     -   C1=from 0.1 to 18 pF     -   C2=from 0.1 to 18 pF     -   C3=from 0.1 to 18 pF

The capacitors C3 and/or C2 can also be replaced with a protective element, such as a varistor. Individual or multiple combinations LiCi can also be formed by transmission lines that are coupled together.

FIG. 2 shows a voltage-controlled GaAs switch 9 with an antenna input 1, to which the antenna 18 is connected. The GaAs switch 9 has transmitter inputs TX₁, TX₂, and receiver inputs RX₁, RX₂, and RX₃. The GaAs switch 9 is controlled through control inputs S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅. Control takes place in that exactly one of the control inputs S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅ is set to “high,” while the remaining control inputs are set to “low.” The number of inputs needed can be reduced using the decoder 10 connected to the GaAs switch 9. The decoder 10 can be a 1-decoder or a 5-decoder, for example. It has control inputs E₁, E₂, and E₃, as well as control outputs A₁, A₂, A₃, A₄, and A₅. The control outputs A₁, A₂, A₃, A₄, and A₅ are connected to the control inputs S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅ of the GaAs switch 9 through connection lines 24.

The control inputs E₁, E₂, and E₃ of the decoder 10 are connected to the control lines 5.

An example of the decoding of a logical signal applied to one of the inputs E₁, E₂, and E₃ of the decoder 10 into signals applied to the control inputs S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅ of the GaAs switch 9 that are suitable for controlling the GaAs switch is described by the following translation table: TABLE 1 Logical states of the control inputs S₁, S₂, S₃, S₄, and S₅ as a factor of the logical states at the control inputs E₁, E₂, and E₃. 1 signifies “high” and 0 signifies “low.” E₁ E₂ E₃ → S₁ S₂ S₃ S₄ S₅ 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

In this case, the transmitter inputs TX₁, TX₂ correspond to the signal inputs from FIG. 1. The receiver inputs RX₁, RX₂, and RX₃ correspond to the signal outputs 3 from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a circuit module with a GaAs switch 9, which has an antenna input 1 as well as two signal inputs 2 and three signal outputs 3. In addition, the circuit module has two low-pass filters 13, 14, wherein the low-pass filter 13 can be configured for the GSM frequency band and the low-pass filter 14 for the PCN/PCS frequency band. The GaAs switch 9 optionally connects one of the inputs/outputs 2, 3 with its antenna input 1. The circuit module also has band-pass filters 15, 16, 17, which are connected to the signal outputs 3. The band-pass filter 15 is adjusted to the GSM frequency, the band-pass filter 16 to the PCN frequency, and the band-pass filter 17 to the PCS frequency.

The band-pass filter 15, 16, 17 at the signal output 3 can be designed to be less demanding in terms of its specifications, because a portion of filtration is assumed by the ESD protective device. This improves insertion loss on the whole.

The signal inputs 2 of the GaAs switch 9 are electrically connected to transmitter amplifiers 19. The transmitter amplifiers 19, like the low-pass filters 13, 14, are adjusted to radio frequencies GSM and PCN/PCS, respectively. The signal outputs are electrically connected to receiver amplifiers 19 a through the band-pass filters 15, 16, 17, wherein the receiver amplifiers 19 a are adjusted to the frequency bands GSM, PCN and PCS, respectively. The antenna input 1 of the GaAs switch 9 is connected to an antenna 18. The signals received by the antenna 18 can now be fed, by means of the GaAs switch 9, into the band-pass filter 16, the band-pass filter 17 or the band-pass filter 18, where they are filtered according to the radio frequency used and further processed in amplifiers 19 a. The signals supplied by the transmitter amplifiers 19 are filtered by the low-pass filters 13, 14 and optionally supplied to the antenna 18 for transmission of a signal.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit module with a multilayer ceramic substrate 20, into which passive components 21, 22, 23 are integrated. These passive components 21, 22, 23 can be resistors, capacitors 22, and inductors 23, for example. The multilayer ceramic substrate 20 can be designed in a known manner. Stacked ceramic layers 30 separated by metallic layers 31 can be used as the multilayer ceramic substrate 20. A few of the metallic layers 31 are connected to one another through continuous contacts 32 running inside the ceramic layers 30. A switch unit 4, which, for example, can be a gallium-arsenide multiple switch assembled in flip chip technology, is mounted on the upper side of the ceramic substrate 20.

The switch unit 4 can, for example, be secured and electrically contacted by means of gluing and additional wire-bonding. A GaAs multiple switch is preferably used as the switch unit 4. This type of switch can have an insertion loss of 0.8 dB in the frequency range between 1 and 2 GHz. It can be an integrated circuit with FET produced on a gallium-arsenide base, with its pin surfaces connected to the ceramic substrate 20 by soldering.

The switch unit 4 can also be attached to the multilayer ceramic substrate 20 and electrically bonded by means of wire bonding. Bonding by means of soldering is preferred when the switch unit 4 is to be used with an additional housing.

The passive components 21, 22, 23 can form the filters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 required in accordance with FIG. 3.

In addition, the switch unit 4, the first protective device 6 and the second protective device 7 are also mounted onto the surface of the substrate 20. This accomplishes a high degree of integration for the circuit module according to the invention, which advantageously affects the space requirements of the circuit module.

The individual components of the first protective device 6 can be arranged on the upper side of the ceramic substrate 20. However, individual components, such as the capacitors C1, C2, C3, can also be integrated into the ceramic substrate 20, like the passive components 21, 22, 23.

The invention is not limited to the examples of the second and third protective device mentioned above; instead, all conceivable protective device can be used in the circuit array of the invention. In addition, the circuit array or the circuit module is not limited to applications in mobile telephones.

List of Reference Symbols

-   1 Antenna input -   2 Signal input -   3 Signal output -   4 Switch unit -   5 Control line -   6,7, 12 First, second, third protective device -   8 Ground -   9 Gallium-arsenide switch -   10 Decoder -   11 Supply line -   13, 14 Low-pass filter -   15, 16, 17 Band-pass filter -   18 Antenna -   19 Transmitter amplifier -   19 a Receiver amplifier -   20 Multilayer ceramic substrate -   21 Resistor -   22 Capacitor -   23 Inductor -   24 Connection line -   30 Ceramic layers -   31 Metallic layers -   32 Continuous contacts -   TX₁, TX₂ Transmitter inputs -   RX₁, RX₂, RX₃ Receiver inputs -   S₁, S₁₂, S₃, S₄, S₅ Control inputs of the switch -   A₁, A₂, A₃, A₄, A₅ Control outputs of the decoder -   E₁, E₂, E₃ Control inputs of the decoder -   Vcc Supply voltage -   111 Antenna input -   112 Switch output -   113 Line -   114 Series circuit -   115 First parallel circuit -   116 Second parallel circuit -   C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 Capacitors -   L1, L2, L3 Inductors 

1. A circuit array comprising: a first antenna input; a signal inputs; a signal output; a switch unit that selectively connects the antenna input to either the signal input or the signal output; and a first protective device connected to the antenna input, the first protective device comprising a band-pass filter in a π configuration.
 2. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the first protective device comprises a second antenna input and a switch output, the second antenna input being connected to the switch output by a conductor, and wherein the circuit array further comprises: a series circuit comprising a first capacitor and a first inductor connected in series with the conductor; a first parallel circuit between the antenna input and the series circuit, the first parallel circuit comprising a second capacitor and a second inductor connected in parallel with the conductor and connected to a ground; and a second parallel circuit between the switch output and the series circuit, the second parallel circuit comprising a third capacitor and a third inductor connected in parallel to the conductor and connected to a ground.
 3. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the band-pass filter has an attenuation approximately less than 0.5 dB in a frequency range between 1 and 2 GHz and and an attenuation greater then 20 dB in a frequency range greater than 3.4 GHz.
 4. The circuit array of claim 1, further comprising: a control line for controlling the switch unit, the control line being connected to a second protective device.
 5. The circuit array of claim 4, wherein the first and second protective devices are connected to a ground.
 6. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the switch unit comprises a voltage-controlled switch.
 7. The circuit array of claim 6, wherein the switch unit comprises a gallium-arsenide switch.
 8. The circuit array of claim 1, further comprising: a decoder having a supply line the supply line being connected to a third protective device.
 9. The circuit array of claim 1, further comprising: frequency filters connected in series to at least one of the signal input and the signal output.
 10. The circuit array of claim 4, wherein the second protective device comprises a voltage-limiting element.
 11. The circuit array of claim 10, wherein the voltage-limiting element is comprises at least one of a varistor, a spark gap and a Zener diode.
 12. The circuit array of claim 11, wherein the varistor has a switching voltage of less than 6 V.
 13. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the antenna input is connected to an antenna, the signal input is connected to a transmission amplifier, and the signal output is connected to a reception amplifier.
 14. The circuit array of claim 2, further comprising: a fourth capacitor is connected in series to the conductor between the switch output and the second parallel circuit.
 15. The circuit array of claim 3, further comprising: a fifth capacitor connected in series to the conductor between the antenna input and the first parallel circuit.
 16. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the first protective device is at least partly constructed on transmission lines that are coupled together.
 17. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the first protective device comprises an antenna input connected to a switch output by a line; and wherein the circuit array further comprises: a series circuit comprising a first capacitor and a first inductor is connected in series to the lines; a first parallel circuit between the antenna input and the series circuit, the first parallel circuit comprising a second capacitor and a second inductor connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground; and a second parallel circuit between the switch output and the series circuit, the second parallel circuit comprising a protective element and a third inductor connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground.
 18. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the first protective device comprises an antenna input connected to a switch output by a line, and the circuit array further comprises: a series circuit comprising a first capacitor and a first inductor is connected in series to the line; a first parallel circuit between the antenna input and the series circuit, the first parallel circuit comprising a protective element and a second inductor connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground; and a second parallel circuit between the switch output and the series circuit, the second parallel circuit comprising a third capacitor and a third inductor connected in parallel to the line and connected to a ground.
 19. A circuit module comprising: a circuit array comprising an antenna input; a signal input; a signal output; a switch unit that selectively connects the antenna input to either the signal input or the signal output, and a first protective device connected to the antenna input, the first protective device comprising a band-pass filter in a π configuration; and a multilayer ceramic substrate that includes integrated passive components that form frequency filters wherein the switch unit is on an upper side of the ceramic substrate, the ceramic substrate including the first protective device.
 20. The circuit module of claim 19 wherein the circuit module is a front-end module in a mobile telephone.
 21. A protective device comprising: an antenna input; a switch output, the antenna input being connected to the switch output by a conductor; a series circuit comprising a first capacitor and a first inductor connected in series with the conductor, a first parallel circuit between the antenna input and the series circuit, the first parallel circuit comprising a second capacitor and a second inductor connected in parallel with the conductor and connected to a ground; and a second parallel circuit between the switch output and the series circuit, the second parallel circuit comprising a third capacitor and a third inductor connected in parallel with the conductor and connected to a ground.
 22. The protective device of claim 21, wherein the protective device comprises a band-pass filter in a π configuration.
 23. The protective device of claim 21, wherein the conductor connects an antenna input to a switch output.
 24. The protective device of claim 22, wherein the band-pass filter has an attenuation approximately less than 0.5 dB in a frequency range between 1 and 2 GHz and an attenuation greater then 20 dB in a frequency range greater than 3.4 GHz.
 25. The circuit array of claim 1, wherein the first protective device protects against electrostatic and is charge.
 26. A circuit array comprising: means for selectively connecting an antenna input to a signal input or signal output; and means for protecting the circuit array against electrostatic discharge, the means for protecting the circuit comprising a bandpass filter in a π configuration. 